for dear life

Idioms  

1. Also, for one's life. Desperately, urgently, so as to save one's life. For example, When the boat capsized, I hung on for dear life, or With the dogs chasing them they ran for their lives, or She wanted that vase but I saw it first and hung on to it for dear life. These expressions are sometimes hyperbolic (that is, one's life may not actually be in danger). The first dates from the mid-1800s, the variant from the first half of the 1600s. Also see for the life of one.

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Example Sentences

See Examples For:

for dear life

"Funnily enough, I don't have many regrets in the fifth set because I was hanging on for dear life, to be honest. I was exhausted."

From Barron's ● Jan. 30, 2026

Amanjot had held her nerve, and the catch for dear life.

From BBC ● Nov. 3, 2025

I predict it will be billionaires controlling robots and AI while the majority of people just hang on for dear life economically.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 25, 2025

I am holding on for dear life, like I’m in the trenches with everyone.

From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 10, 2025

I grab hold of Amara’s strong arms, clinging for dear life with both my hands as she edges herself backward.

From "Lucky Broken Girl" by Ruth Behar